Download Cobleskill workshop Thursday on antimicrobial drug use in animals

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cobleskill workshop Thursday on antimicrobial drug use in food animal
OAK BROOK, IL Aug. 17, 2015: There is still time to register for the workshop on antimicrobial
drug use in food animals planned for Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Champlin Hall Lounge, State
University of New York-Cobleskill, 106 Suffolk Circle, Cobleskill, NY.
This free workshop, which will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., is targeted to pork, cattle, poultry and sheep
producers, as well as veterinarians and feed suppliers in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The workshop is also
an opportunity for other stakeholders, such as state and federal agencies, colleges of veterinary
medicine and university extension personnel, to gain insights into the changes needed to meet the
requirements.
Organized by Farm Foundation, NFP, the workshop is an opportunity for participants to gain a
comprehensive understanding of two Guidance for Industry (GFIs) issued by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the use of medically-important antimicrobial drugs in foodproducing animals, as well as the FDA’s revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). These actions
mean some drugs will see label changes allowing only therapeutic uses and veterinary oversight
will be needed in the form of a veterinarian’s prescription for the drug, direct administration by a
veterinarian, or a veterinary consultation on disease management protocols.
There is no charge to participate, but advanced registration is requested. Registration for this
workshop can be completed online or by going to the Farm Foundation website.
The workshop will include representatives from FDA and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service. Participants will also hear perspectives from Phil Trowbridge of Trowbridge
Farms; Carie Telgen, DVM; and Andy Dugan of Gold Star Feed and Grain. Breakout sessions will
allow producers, veterinarians and feed suppliers to identify and discuss the management
challenges ahead.
To gauge awareness of the changes being put in place by FDA, and to learn more about the
potential implications of these changes, Farm Foundation, NFP is asking stakeholders to complete a
brief survey. The survey is open to all livestock producers, feed suppliers and veterinarians,
whether or not you attend a workshop. CLICK HERE to complete the survey. Survey results will
only be gathered and reported in the aggregate. Survey results will be shared with workshop
participants.
1301 W. 22nd Street, Suite 906 • Oak Brook, IL 60523 • Tel (630) 571-9393 • Fax (630) 571-9580
www.farmfoundation.org www.facebook.com/thefarmfoundation www.agchallenge2050.org
Comments gathered at this workshop will be the basis of a report assessing the economic and
physical challenges facing producers as they implement the GFIs and revised VFD. Informational
and educational needs will also be evaluated, as well as the role of veterinarians in monitoring and
managing antimicrobial drug use. The report will be presented at a national summit to be convened
by Farm Foundation in late fall 2015.
FDA’s GFI 209 and GFI 213 call on animal drug sponsors of approved medically-important
antimicrobials administered through medicated feed or water to remove production uses (i.e., to
promote growth or improve feed efficiency) from their product labels, and bring the
remaining therapeutic uses of these products—to treat, control, or prevent disease—under the
oversight of a veterinarian. Manufacturers of products containing these medically-important
antimicrobial drugs have voluntarily agreed to submit changes to their product labels to comply
with the GFIs. FDA’s revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) addresses the increased veterinary
oversight of medicated feeds called for by GFI 209 and 213.
In addition to Farm Foundation’s leadership, individual producers and many companies are
providing financial support for this educational effort. These include JBS United, Hormel Foods
Corporation, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Rose Acre Farms, Elanco Animal Health, J.R. Simplot
Company, Steve Irsik and Sons, National Pork Producers Council, the National Pork Board, and
North American Meat Institute.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sheldon Jones, Vice President Programs, Farm Foundation, NFP
[email protected] 630-601-4151
Mary Thompson, Vice President Communications, Farm Foundation, NFP
[email protected]
630-601-4152
Farm Foundation, NFP works as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster a deeper
understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions. The Foundation does not advocate
or lobby. Since its founding in 1933, Farm Foundation has been committed to objectivity, fostering the constructive debate
that is essential to sound public policy development in a democracy.
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